News and transfer gossip as rumours and news start to build while Stoke City navigate summer window

Stoke City are going through a busy close season in preparation for Steven Schumacher’s first full campaign in charge.

The Potters have been quick to move behind the scenes and in the transfer market, with three notable backroom departures confirmed, a new head of recruitment brought in and two signings announced even before the summer window is officially opened.

The retained list saw five loan players – Daniel Iversen, Ki-Jana Hoever, Luke McNally, Luke Cundle and Sead Haksabanovic – return to their parent clubs while Tyrese Campbell, Wesley and Ciaran Clark are leaving at the end of their contracts. Enda Stevens, Jordan Thompson and Frank Fielding have extended their stays.

Viktor Johansson, who has established himself as one of the leading goalkeepers in the division while with Rotherham United, has become the first signing of the window as Stoke trigger a relegation release clause. Centre-half Ben Gibson is signing number two as he leaves Norwich.

Jared Dublin has left his role as head of recruitment. Stoke have brought in Lee Darnbrough from Hull as his replacement. First team physio Nick Meace has left and first team coach Paul Gallagher has gone too after one season back at the club where he had enjoyed two spells as a loan player.

Details have been confirmed for pre-season, including a training week in the Republic of Ireland.

Here we can keep track of all the news and gossip as it breaks over the months leading up to pre-season and then August. Happy with the business and decisions so far? What should be Stoke’s priority? Who should they try to move on and who must they try to keep? Join in the debate in the comments section.